What is VMware Infrastructure 3 (VI3)? - Definition from Whatis.com

Definition

VMware Infrastructure 3 (VI3)

VMware Infrastructure 3 (VI3) is a software suite designed to centralize and optimize desktop management and data center resources through virtualization. Every component of the suite can function with diverse operating systems, applications and hardware devices.

VMware Infrastructure 3 consists of several utilities, including:

  • VMware ESX Server, which abstracts all system and network resources into multiple virtual machines
  • VMware VMFS (Virtual Machine File System), which facilitates multiple installations of ESX Server
  • VMware Update Manager, which oversees the use of updates for existing installations of ESX Server and guest operating systems
  • VMware VSMP (Virtual Symmetric Multi-Processing), which allows a single virtual machine to use two or more processors simultaneously
  • VMware Virtual Center, which delivers centralized management
  • VMware DRS (Distributed Resource Scheduler), which balances workloads with available resources
  • VMware VMotion and Storage VMotion, which allow live migration of virtual machines and their data between servers
  • VMware HA (High Availability), which allows the use of applications independent of hardware and operating platforms
  • VMware Consolidated Backup, which enhances existing tools to protect virtual machines against data loss

According to VMware, the Infrastructure 3 suite can reduce overhead and optimize data center efficiency by:

  • Securing and managing enterprise desktops
  • Minimizing the time required to provision new infrastructure
  • Consolidating servers
  • Protecting the security and integrity of working, stored and archived data
  • Simplifying software development and testing
  • Minimizing rack space and power consumption
  • Re-hosting legacy applications
  • Ensuring application availability with diverse hardware and operating systems
  • Minimizing downtime by allowing live migration of running systems
  • Minimizing overall labor costs

VMware, a subsidiary of EMC Corporation, is headquartered in Palo Alto, California and provides virtualization software for x86-compatible computers.

This was last updated in March 2008

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